Newcastle and Real Madrid are both interested in appointing Jose Mourinho as their next manager, according to the Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Italian newspaper has made the surprise claim that the Magpies may consider replacing Eddie Howe with the former Chelsea and Manchester United head coach.

Mourinho’s contract at Roma expires at the end of the season, but talks over an extension are currently taking place.

Even so, Gazzetta report that Newcastle and Real are “fascinated” by the possibility of appointing the 60-year-old if he leaves the Stadio Olimpico next summer.

Rumours are likely to be just agent talk

It is not unusual for clubs to be linked with players when contract negotiations are taking place, so you can’t rule out the possibility that Mourinho’s agents are using Newcastle in the same way to get more out of Roma.

There has been no hint that PIF are unhappy with the job that Howe is doing. Many feel that finishing 4th last season was way ahead of schedule in terms of the plans that the owners had for the club. While it has been a more difficult season this time around, the Magpies have still produced some excellent results, such as the win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, beating Arsenal in the Premier League, and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

Mourinho is the polar opposite of the type of manager that Newcastle need

Considering that the Magpies are looking to build a young squad, the Portuguese would be the last person you would want coaching them.

There have been numerous examples over the years where Mourinho has favoured older, seasoned pros over younger alternatives. Combined with the fact that he plays a brand of football which is not attractive to watch, he would not be a good fit for the Newcastle project.

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